What is one way we can bless our children as they go back to school this week? This week marks the beginning of another school year for most of our children.  Consequently, the school year fills many of us with a hint of anxiety. We desire our children to make good and godly choices. So, parents, join me in covering our children with powerful prayers in several areas this school year.

We have done all we can to prepare our children for making wise decisions, but we still worry about them, right? Will they be safe? Apply themselves? Resist temptations? Develop positive friendships? When we find ourselves in the throes of worry and concern, then it is time to leave our children in God’s hands. God knows the plans he has for our children, and He knows what is best for them. So, let’s spend time, this school year, praying for our children in several areas.

The Father Knows Our Children

Trust that God knows our children better than we know our children and that he can do more with them than we ever could. Therefore, praying the following Scripture can bless you and your child. Where David uses the personal pronoun, insert your child’s name.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of (insert your child’s/children’s name) body and knit (insert your child’s/children’s name) together in the womb. Thank you for making (insert your child’s/children’s name) so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched (insert your child’s/children’s name) as (he/she) was being formed in utter seclusion, as (he/she) was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw (insert your child’s/children’s name) before (he/she) was born. Every day of (insert your child’s/children’s name) life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about (insert your child’s/children’s name), O God! They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand. And when (insert your child’s/children’s name) wake (s) up, you are still with (him/her)! Psalm 139: 13-18

Ask God to Bless Our Children’s Social Life

Having a social life is one of the best parts about school. With social interactions come all kinds of temptations. The evil one will tempt our children to use drugs, have sex, verbally and physically bully others, and to spend more time on social media than their academics. Praying the following verses over our children can bless us and our children.

If  (insert your child’s/children’s name) think he/she is standing strong, help him/her be careful not to fall. ¹³ The temptations in (insert your child’s/children’s name) life are no different from what others experience. And God, you are faithful. You will not allow the temptation to be more than (insert your child’s/children’s name) can stand. When (insert your child’s/children’s name) is tempted, please show (insert your child’s/children’s name) a way out so that (he/she) can endure. Lord, thank you for how you will strengthen and deliver (insert your child’s/children’s name). 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Therefore, it was necessary for, you, Jesus, to be made in every respect like (insert your child’s/children’s name), your brothers and sisters, so that you could be his/her merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then you could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of (insert child’s/children’s name). Since you yourself have gone through suffering and testing, you are able to help (insert your child’s/children’s name) when (he/she) are being tested. Hebrews 2:17-18

Let’s pray that God would bless and strengthen our children to resist all kinds of social temptations this year. God is faithful trustworthy to assist our children in the heat of the most fierce tests and temptations.

Ask God to Bless Their Academic/School Life

The Bible encourages us the love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind. Let’s pray our children will exercise academic diligence this year.

The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27

Let’s pray that our kids will dedicate their minds to knowing God and trusting him to help them think critically this academic school year. We desire our children to think critically and excel in their classes, for God’s glory. We need godly factory workers, teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, scientists, accountants, and government leaders.

Ask God to Bless Their Spiritual Life

We want to see our children discover and live God’s will for their lives. Being living sacrifices for God is the only way to show God how much he is worth to them. So, let’s ask God to bless our children to discover his will and plan for their lives.

And so, God, help (insert your child’s/children’s name here), to give his/her body to you because of all you have done for him/her. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind you will find acceptable. I know this is truly the way for them to worship you. Please help (insert your child’s/children’s name), not to copy the behavior and customs of this world, but may they let you  transform them into a new person by changing the way they think. Then they will learn to know your will for their lives, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

Our kids can learn the will of God through prayer (Philippians 4:6-9), Bible study (Hebrews 4:12-13), and being in community with other believers (1 Corinthians 12:12-14).

A Prayer to Bless Our Children

Father, we release our children into your hands this academic school year. We ask that you give them the power to resist temptation and make godly choices for you. Help them to love you with their minds and excel academically, for your glory. Finally, help them to pursue you in everything they do this year. They were your children before they were ours. We believe you can do more with our kids than we ever could. So, we gladly and confidently release them in your hands this school year. By the authority of Jesus, we pray. Amen!

What kinds of prayers do you pray over your children at the beginning of and during the school year? 

If you appreciated this post, you might find this one helpful as well:

How to Have Optimism in A Cynical World

The post How We Can Bless Our Children This Year appeared first on Marvin Williams.

It’s Labor Day! Today, we celebrate and honor the American labor movement and all the workers who have contributed to the prosperity and strength of this country. No doubt, many will have cookouts, spending time with family and simply relax. As we enjoy the unofficial end of summer, let’s remember the original Labor Day.

Most people do not have a healthy view of work. Consequently, many endure and tolerate Monday in order to finally get to Friday. We dread Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Then, we “Thank God It’s Friday” because it marks the beginning of the weekend. I am sure this is not a healthy way to think about labor/work. So, what does the Bible say about work?

The Original Labor Day

The original Labor Day began when God created humanity. One of the first things God did was ordain or inaugurate work. Therefore, work is a gift, not a curse. When God created Adam, he gave him a command to work (Genesis 2:15; Exodus 20:9). So, I believe God created work to be a normal rhythm of human existence (Psalm 104:23).  To refuse to work is immoral and sinful (Titus 3:14).

Violating God’s Labor Day Law

In creation, God has established a pattern of work and rest that is to be a model for his people (Genesis 2:1-3). Old Testament believers obeyed the Sabbath to balance work and rest. Jesus practiced a labor and rest rhythm (Mark 6:30-32). Therefore, we should supplement our work with regular rhythms of rest. So, when we work more than we rest or do not follow this divine pattern, we sin. Not only do we sin, we increase our chances of burning out.

Why Did God Give Us the Original Labor Day

Why did God give us work anyway? This is a big issue. I believe there are several reasons why God gave us the gift of work.

• God gave us work and the ability to make money so we could be free from being dependent on others (1 Thessalonians 4:12).
• God gave us work so we could find self-fulfillment in it (Ecclesiastes 2:24).
• We work and earn money so we can enjoy the life God has given us (1 Timothy 6:17).
• We work and earn money so we can share with others (Ephesians 4:28).
• God gave us work so we can partner with God for his glory.

The Consequences of Viewing the Original Labor Day as a Gift From God

When we view work from God’s perspective, we can draw some interesting and compelling conclusions.

• We have a moral duty to work. If we can work but choose not to work, we are sinning. There is a difference between being physically or emotionally incapable of working and refusing to work. The former is understandable; the second is inexcusable (Titus 3:14).
• Every legitimate job – menial or mundane – has intrinsic worth.
• Any legitimate job is a means of worshiping God (Colossians 3:17).
• Any legitimate job is God’s calling (Genesis 2:15).
• Work is empty apart from God (Psalm 127:1).
• We should acknowledge our dependence on God, not in our jobs and the money we make from them (Deuteronomy 8:18-19).

As you celebrate with family and friends, don’t forget to thank God for giving you the gift of work. Thus, no matter how menial or mundane your job, you can glorify God. If it is a dirty job, we are responsible for doing our best in every area every time. So, let’s do our jobs with excellence and with the right attitude. When we do, we glorify God and increase our chances of helping others do the same.

The post Reflections On The Original Labor Day appeared first on Marvin Williams.

Each day we have a choice to pursue worthy or unworthy things. Life is too short to chase the unimportant. We must choose to abandon the worthless and pursue those things that are worth our time and energy. Here are, at least, five things that we should seek every day.

Pursue a more intimate relationship with God.

We were created to know and love God (John 17:3). Pursuing a close relationship with God is a most worthy treasure we can and should pursue. First, we must ask God for a desire to want to spend time alone with God. The more time we spend with God, the more we will want to spend time with him, and the greater our love will be for him. This love is not merely having knowledge about God, but affectionately relating to God. The way we seek God is by talking and listening to God through prayer and His Word. Pursuing God is all about hearing what he says and doing what he says. Chase God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Speak his love language – obedience to his commands. Therefore, before you pursue anything or anyone else in your day, seek God. Because God designed us to know him, then everything else we pursue pales in comparison. So, he must be our primary pursuit.

Pursue deeper relationships with our families and friends.

God created us for community and deep connections with people (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). It doesn’t matter who we are; God designed us for human connection. The closest connection we have is with our family – mother, father, siblings, spouse, and children and friends. So, be intentional. Call. Text. Spend quality and quantity time with those you love. Put it on your calendar. But, also allow yourself to be interrupted. These moments are often the holiest of all and when God speaks the loudest.

Pursue smarter choices concerning our health.

We live in a stressful world. A stressful world often leads to stressful and unhealthy lives. Stress affects every part of our lives. It affects our immune system, our sleep, our mental health, and our eating habits. God has given us one body, and he expects us to be good managers of it (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). How can we pursue our health? So, get up and get out. Exercise daily. Move for at least thirty minutes a day. Walk. Run. Bike. Swim. Just move and get your heart pumping. Moreover, make healthier eating choices. Eat sensible meals and cut out as much sugar as possible.

Pursue greater awareness of ourselves.

Self-deception is the worst kind of deception (Jeremiah 17:9). Self-awareness is the solution to self-deception. According to Shelley Duval and Robert Wicklund, self-awareness is the ability to look inward, think deeply about your behavior, and consider how it aligns with your moral standards and values. They argued that when your behavior is out of alignment with your values, you feel uncomfortable, unhappy and adverse. Thus, you can quickly fall into a mode of self-deception. Therefore, understand your strength and weaknesses, know the impact you have on others, focus on other people and ask for feed back.

Pursue the discovery of something new.

Each day we should stretch our minds by learning something new. The moment we stop learning is the moment we stop living. God wants us to love him with our hearts and mind. We love God with our minds by continuing to remain curious. Therefore, ask questions of people who are smarter than you are. Read books and articles outside your discipline. Expand your intellectual horizon by exposing yourself to new and different knowledge. One of my sources for learning something new every day is www.curious.com  You can customize and have a curious quotient workout delivered to your inbox every day. Check it out.

So, my friends, choose to abandon your pursuit of the unimportant and chase after those things that add the most value to your life and the lives of others.

What are there other things we should pursue each day? 

If you liked this post, you might like this one as well:

26 Questions to Help You Have the Best Year Ever 

The post 5 Worthy Things We Should Pursue Every Day appeared first on Marvin Williams.

handypetes.com fast viagra without prescription Self-sabotaging thoughts and behavior are destructive. Alyce P. Cornyn-Selby says: “Self-sabotage is when we say we want something and we go about making sure it doesn’t happen.” How do we identify and overcome self-sabotaging language and behavior?

Do you ever talk to yourself and use words like: “You’re not good enough!” “Just give up!” “You’re the worst!” “You are going to fail – again!” “You don’t have what it takes!” These words hit the target of our hearts like missiles, exploding it into pieces. These words don’t come from an enemy, who wishes to destroy our self-confidence; they originate from the cruelty of our hearts. This is negative talk, and if we aren’t careful to replace it with godly optimism, words like these we will stymie and stifle the future God has for us. So, from where does self-sabotage come?

What Are Some Causes of Self-Sabotaging?

Now, no one gets up in the morning saying: “Today, I am going to sabotage my future.” We don’t set out to do it. But, most times I think we are unconscious of this kind of negative talk. So, why then do we use self-sabotaging language and develop self-sabotaging habits?

• We misunderstand our identity

We sabotage our future when we fail to understand who we are. When we fail to understand who we are, we allow others to define our lives for us. They do it with misguided criticism and negative talk. Thus, when other people’s words bore into our souls, they become more powerful than what God says about us. Thus, if we don’t realize who we are, then we will let other people say who we are.

• We become too familiar with failure.

We sabotage our future when we become too familiar with failure. It seems the more we fail at something for no obvious reason or without asking why we failed at something we should have succeeded in, the more we will condition ourselves to expect failure in the future.

• We procrastinate

We procrastinate when we fail to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done. This is probably one of the most common self-sabotaging behaviors in my own life. I know what I need to do. But. less important things distract me. Therefore, I miss deadlines and fail to respond in a timely fashion. This can frustrate those in my orbit.

• We engage in negative self-talk

We tell ourselves the world seems meaningless, wisdom seems pointless, pleasures seem empty, works seems vain, the world seems only corrupt and oppressive, loneliness seems only depressing, wealth appears to provide no answers to life and life seems short and miserable. This is pessimistic thinking, and this short-circuits our hope for a better tomorrow.

Overcoming Self-Sabotaging Behavior

At some point in time, we all engage in some form of self-sabotage. The important thing is not focusing on which one of the above behaviors is the thief of your success, but focusing on a pathway to overcoming self-sabotaging behavior.

• Know and embrace your identity

Self-sabotaging behavior grows in the soil of the lie about who we are. We believe we are worthless, useless, and undeserving. You see, we cannot trust our hearts (Jeremiah 17:9). Therefore, I must believe what God says about me. Therefore. here are a few truths God says about us that we should repeat to ourselves each day: I am …

Forgiven! Redeemed! Bought with a price! Known by God! Justified! Accepted! Reconciled! Loved! Saved! Chosen! Alive! Free! More than a conqueror! More than enough! 

• Be self-aware.

To overcome self-sabotage, you need to be aware that you doing it. Watch the thoughts you entertain and listen to the language you use. More importantly, observe your behavior in certain situations. If you want to know what a person believes, watch what they do. Therefore, journal your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Then, you will know where you might be sabotaging your success.

• Ask self-reflective questions

Are you making sure something in your life doesn’t happen by entertaining negative thoughts, listening to pessimistic language, and embracing self-sabotaging habits? Ask yourself: “Why am I failing for no reason?” “What can I do differently to mitigate against negative talk?” “What am I procrastinating?” Am I deceiving myself in any way?” If so, in what areas of my life?

• Live in community. 

We all have blind spots. Thus, one of the ways to become acquainted with our blind spots is to invited trusted friends to give us feedback and to challenge our self-sabotaging language and behavior. Who are the people in your life that you trust to tell you the truth about you? Yes, we should invite and welcome feedback, but we must also celebrate the success and achievements of others (Romans 12:15).

• Think on these things

The Apostle Paul commands us to take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Moreover, we should replace our pessimistic thoughts with godly optimism:

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8)

Therefore, as followers of Jesus, when darkness comes and seems to veil what God is doing in the world, may we rest on his sovereign grace and purposes. Our first response should not be pessimism and cynicism, but confidence in God, what God can do, and what he will do in the future for his people. Because God is sovereign and is always doing something in the world, we can trust in him and hope for a better tomorrow.

The post Overcoming Self-Sabotaging Behavior appeared first on Marvin Williams.

cialis no prescription linked hereWhat are your plans to have the best year ever? How will you increase your chances of 2017 being better and more productive than 2016? It won’t happen unless we intentionally spend time reflecting on last year and planning for the next year. Here are a few questions to help you and me have the best year ever.

Each year, people intentionally spend time reflecting on the past year and planning for the year to come. I find this exercise to be extremely beneficial because it forces me to slow down and graph highs and lows and wins and disappointment and create a map for success in the future.

So, what are you going to do to make 2017 better and more productive than 2016? As we’re ending this year, I think it is helpful to reflect on all that has happened in 2016 and plan for what we desire to happen in 2017. In short, If we want to have the best year ever, we must reflect, evaluate, gain insight, and plan ahead.

Consequently, reflection is not a quick exercise. If it is to be meaningful, then we should give considerable time to it. Some high achievers take several hours, and some take an entire day to reflect, evaluate and gain insight into the previous 365 days.

Here are the questions I am using this year to help me have the best year ever. Some of these questions come from Day One Journal, Brad Lomenick, and the book, Eat That Frog. Also, I have added some questions to the list of twenty-six.

Reflect to Have the Best Year Ever

• Where and how did I see God show up in my life this past year?
• What was my favorite single day/single event of the year?
• List ten highlights of the past year.
• List ten disappointments from this previous year.
• What was the best thing I built or created?
• What was the most impactful decision I made for my family’s future?
• As I contemplate the last 365 days, what was my best financial decision and achievement?
• What lifelong goal did I achieve or come close to reaching this year?
• Think back over the year. What was the hardest lesson I learned over the past year?
• If I could change one thing that happened this year, what would it be?
• What did I complete this year? What still feels incomplete?
• Did I neglect anything this year? What three things did I ignore this year? What things did not receive my best attention this year?
• Did I discard anything from life that was holding me back growing in my relationship with God and others? List them here.
• What 2-3 unexpected events caused me to realign or reorder my schedule?
• Did I develop any new hobbies or passions? What new hobbies or passions do I want to grow next year?
• Did I develop any new relationships this past year? If I did, how have those links added value to my life? If I did not, what prevented me from developing those relationships?
• What was the most humbling experience of the past year?
• Is my family closer at the end of this year? Am I a better spouse, parent, and friend? If not, what needs to change immediately?
• What am I most grateful for this past year?

Plan to Have the Best Year Ever

• What are at least three areas of growth that I will focus on this year?
• What are my personal goals for the New Year? Family goals? Faith goals? Health goals? Financial goals? Career goals?
• In what areas will I venture outside my comfort zone in 2017?
• Have I written down my goals (Unwritten goals rarely stick)?
• For accountability and encouragement, with whom am I planning to share my goals?
• How will I know I am are reaching my goals?
• How will I be different in the New Year?

Now, these are just suggestions. Get a journal and spend time answering the questions prayerfully and honestly. Use the ones that you think might be the most productive for your end of the year reflection and beginning of the year goal setting.

Staying Motivated

I don’t know about you, but I fight to stay motivated. What can we do to stay motivated? Here are a few attitudes and actions Michael Hyatt encourages us to adopt to remain motivated in pursuing our goals this year.

• Get off your “but”: Stop making excuses.
• Don’t overthink it: Don’t let planning hinder progress.
• Chunk down your goals: Do the next thing, then the next thing.
• Get it on your calendar: Make a commitment of your time.
• Honor your commitments: Take your goals seriously.
• Maintain forward momentum: Work on your goals – possibly first thing in the morning when you have the smallest chance of getting derailed.
• Celebrate your wins: If you don’t celebrate your successes along the way, you’ll lose the energy you need to reach the finish line.

As we say goodbye to 2016 and hello to 2017, may we reflect and plan well! I pray, as we reflect and plan, that we will all have the best year ever.

What has been your end of year practices? 

What are some things you do to increase your odds to have the best year ever? 

The post 26 Questions to Help You Have The Best Year Ever appeared first on Marvin Williams.

At 12:47 a.m. on November 3, 2016, after an 8-7 win over the Cleveland Indians, ESPN Senior Writer, Jayson Stark said it was possible to write or say a sentence that no living human has ever written or said: The Chicago Cubs are the champions of baseball. I know baseball is just a game. But, can we learn some life and leadership lessons from the Cubs winning the World Series? When I look at the Cubs World Series run and win, I see five life lessons.

The drought is over. The desert has become an oasis. The goat has left the building. The Lovable Losers moniker is dead. Jack Brickhouse is somewhere saying Hey! Hey! Harry Carey is slurring Cubs Win! Cubs Win! Yeah, after 108 years, the Cubs are champions of baseball. Yes, I am aware that baseball is just a game. But, I think we can learn a lot about life and leadership from the Darlings of the Northside winning the 2016 World Series.

Have a plan.

Theo Epstein, the President of Baseball Operations for the Cubs, is arguably the greatest baseball executive in modern baseball. He did the tough. Twice. When he arrived in 2011, he told the Cubs to be patient because he had a plan. That plan was to take a team with a history of failure, despair, and incompetence, and make them winners.

In the last five years, he did just that. He combined young and patient hitters, passionate and precocious infielders with still hungry veterans. Then, he brought in an eccentric and out of the box thinking manager. Consequently, he had all the puzzle pieces. Every player was there for a reason. They were part of the master plan. A plan to not only win the World Series but to build a perennially winning team. He had a vision for the future. Epstein saw a team, and he developed that team. And, that team won the 2016 World Series. Therefore, I think it is safe to say that his place in Cooperstown is secure.

What is your plan for accomplishing your goals? Do you want to lose weight? Get out of debt? Finish your education? Begin a business? Go deeper with God? Success is never accidental. So, we need a plan to accomplish our goals. It should be a plan that honors God and it submitted to his sovereign hand (Proverbs 16:1-3).

Success is a process.

Several months ago, I made a decision to 20 pounds. My coach helped me with a plan that was suitable for me. During the first couple weeks, I didn’t notice anything different. I got a little frustrated and impatient. My coach kept telling me to trust the process. About the third week, I started seeing progress. I had been thinking too much about the outcome rather than trusting the process.

Success doesn’t happen overnight. You can’t microwave success. Failures, setbacks, hard work, persistence, and a lot of faith are the primary ingredients for success.

If you have a plan, and it is a good and effective one, you have only to trust the process and not let the outcome consume you. Are you trusting the process to accomplish your goals? Be patient. Persevere through tough times. Get back up after you fail. Push through the quitting points. Live in the moment. Become comfortable with discomfort. In short, trust the process and let God worry about the outcomes.

Adversity is the best path to maturity and success.

It has been 108 years of failure, despair, and incompetence. The mantra was: “Maybe next year.” In 2003, the Cubbies came close, but Bartman became the scapegoat (No pun intended). Then last year the Cubs made it to the playoffs, but the Mets swept them. People blamed the loss on inexperience. Being swept was devastating. The setback disappointed the Cubs and their fans. Everyone thought last year was the year the century-long wandering in the desert would be over. Nope. They would have to wait another year.

However, all of this adversity tested their mettle and perseverance. The perennial failure and despair helped the Cubs to develop the character for this breakthrough season.  Comfort is the quickest path to laziness and entitlement. Adversity contributes to the development of character, endurance, and an indomitable spirit. James, in so many words, encouraged believers, who were living under the weight of trials for their faith, with similar words (James 1:3-4).

Have you been looking at adversity as a foe instead of a friend? Your setback is God’s setup for greater maturity and success. Embrace the adverse circumstances in your life, and let God used them to develop character. When you do, you will be ready for anything that comes your way.

Have fun along the way.

John Madden, the Cubs manager, said: “Never let the pressure exceed the pleasure.” Enjoying the game has always been part of Madden map to success. And, the Cubs seemed to live by this mantra all year long. They had a onesies pajama party on the plane after a 1-0 loss to the Dodgers. The loss didn’t get them down. It seems no loss dampened their spirits this year. Even when they were down 3-1, they never panicked. Joe Madden kept them loose and confident.  They didn’t play like there was a 108-year gorilla on their backs; they played with the passion, fun, and joy of 12-year old little leaguers.

What about you? On your way to your goals, have you let the pressure exceed the pleasure? If you have, I encourage you to start having fun again. Return to the moment when you did what you did, not for a paycheck or status, but for the pure, unadulterated joy of it.

Hope is powerful.

Hope is the confident expectation for a better outcome in the future. With each losing season, there seemed to always be the confident expectation that Cubs would be better next and finally deliver that all elusive World Series to the city of Chicago. Each year disappointment deferred the dream. Yet, no matter how horrible the season was, there was always next year. This confident expectation is what kept fans coming back to historic Wrigley Field and motivated them to endure harsh temperatures, stand on Waverly Avenue, sit on rooftops, paint their bodies and don the Lovable Losers jerseys and hats. That’s hope!

What about us. Do we have a confident expectation that God will give us a better tomorrow? No matter how difficult the circumstances, hope motivates us to keep waiting, persevering and expecting something better. Hope uses disappointment as fuel to voyage into a better tomorrow. Our present circumstances don’t define or determine our future possibilities.

“ Our present circumstances don’t define or determine our future possibilities.

So, hope in God, the One who knows your future and has a plan for it.

Yeah, I know baseball is just a game. But, because all truth is God’s truth, I think if we look close enough, God can teach us a great deal about himself and life from this amazing game.

What other life lessons can you learn from the Cubs winning the 2016 World Series?

Which one of the lessons above resonates with you the most? 

The post Cubs Win! Cubs Win! Cubs Win! appeared first on Marvin Williams.

Everyone, I mean everyone, goes through tough times. Someone has said we have either left a tough time, are presently in the middle of a trial, or headed toward a tough time. The issue is not determining the nature of the trial, but what should our response be to these moments. So, how should we respond to tough times?

So, a couple of months ago our family went through tough times. First, Micah, my middle son, broke his foot and had to have surgery and be on crutches for ten weeks. Then, when I went to Kenya, a series of unfortunate events occurred. Our sump pump stopped working, and our entire basement flooded. So, we pulled up the carpet and tore off baseboards and doors. Next, Marvin Jr.’s car broke down three times. Finally, Tonia’s computer stopped working two days before a major presentation to two hundred women. And, all of this happened within a few days of each other.

Consequently, I felt helpless. So, after I settled down a bit, I reminded myself of several powerful truths about God.

Truths About Our Father We Need to Remember

As you find yourself in middle of a storm or a tough time, let the following truths about our heavenly Father wash over your heart:

• God is trustworthy.

God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? Numbers 23:19

• He is a good Father.

So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. Matthew 7:11

• He will do what he promised.

• Nothing can separate you from God’s love.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[a] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

• God always has a plan.

I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. Genesis 45:4-5

• He is with you.

So, the Lord was with Joseph, Genesis 39:2-3

But, the Lord was with Joseph in the prison …  And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. Genesis 39:21

• His mercy is new every morning.

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:22-23

• God understands your weaknesses

The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Psalm 103:13-14

• God will bring good out of adversity and pain.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. Genesis 50:20

• God’s grace is enough for you.

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

• God has not forgotten you. 

Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name. Malachi 3:16

• God controls the future. 

Everything I prophesied has come true, and now I will prophesy again. I will tell you the future before it happens. I saiah 42:9

• God will never leave you nor forsake you. 

For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5

• God cares about what happens to you. 

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7

• He will always bring his mission to fruition.

Therefore, the next time you go through a tough time, rehearse these powerful truths about our heavenly Father. Consequently, you can not only make it through your tough times but thrive in the midst of them.

Remember, tough times don’t last forever. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Moreover, God uses tough times to develop our character so we can look more like Jesus and be ready for anything that comes our way.

What other truths should we remember as we go through tough times? 

The post 15 Truths To Help You Get Through Tough Times appeared first on Marvin Williams.

It’s Labor Day! Today, we celebrate and honor the American labor movement and all the workers who have contributed to the prosperity and strength of this country. No doubt, many will have cookouts, spending time with family and simply relax. As we enjoy the unofficial end of summer, let’s remember the original Labor Day.

Most people do not have a healthy view of work. Consequently, many endure and tolerate Monday to start our journey toward the weekend. We dread Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Then we “Thank God It’s Friday” because it marks the beginning of the weekend. Is this a healthy way to think about labor/work? What does the Bible say about work?

The Original Labor Day

The original Labor Day began when God created humanity. One of the first things God did was ordain or inaugurate work. Work was and is a gift, not a curse, from the hands of God. When God created Adam, he gave him a command to work (Genesis 2:15; Exodus 20:9). I believe God created work to be a normal rhythm of human existence (Psalm 104:23).  To refuse to work is immoral and sinful (Titus 3:14).

Violating God’s Labor Day Law

Rest is a healthy and natural part of God’s labor day. In creation, God has established a pattern of work and rest that is to be a model for believers (Genesis 2:1-3). Old Testament believers obeyed the Sabbath to balance work and rest. Jesus practiced a labor and rest rhythm (Mark 6:30-32). Therefore, we should supplement our work with regular rhythms of rest. When we work more than we rest or do not follow this divine pattern, we sin. Not only do we sin, we increase our chances of burning out. Therefore, we divine wisdom so we will avoid overworking and laziness. Work and rest are both potential means of making God look good (Colossians 3:17). 

Why Did God Give Us the Original Labor Day

Why did God give us work anyway? This is a big issue. I believe there are several reasons why God gave us the gift of work.

• God gave us work and the ability to make money so we could be free from being dependent on others (1 Thessalonians 4:12).
• We work and earn money so we could find self-fulfillment in our work (Ecclesiastes 2:24).
• God gave us work and the ability to earn money so we can enjoy life. We work and earn money so we can enjoy the life God has given us (1 Timothy 6:17).
• We work and earn money so we can share with others (Ephesians 4:28).

Why Do I Hate My Job So Much?

If God ordained work, why do people hate their jobs so much? Why do they hate getting up and going to work? I think there is a good explanation for these feelings. Human work, which was once a pleasure, became a burden only on account of human disobedience. Consequently, work was under God’s judgment:

And to the man he said, “Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.” Genesis 3:17-19

Therefore, work often feels frustrating, discouraging  and like a grind:

So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless. Ecclesiastes 2:22-23

And this, too, is a very serious problem. People leave this world no better off than when they came. All their hard work is for nothing—like working for the wind. Throughout their lives, they live under a cloud—frustrated, discouraged, and angry. Ecclesiastes 5:16-17

Though work is under the judgment of God, Jesus Christ’s finished work on the cross secures redemption of human work. As we apply biblical virtue to our employment, pursue excellence and do our work as if Jesus is our boss, we can once again bring glory to God in our work.

 The Consequences of Viewing Work As a Gift From God

When we view work from God’s perspective, we can draw some interesting and compelling conclusions.

• We have a moral duty to work. If we can work, but choose not to work, we are sinning and immoral. There is a difference between being physically or emotionally incapable of working and refusing to work. The former is understandable; the second is inexcusable (Titus 3:14).
• Every legitimate job – menial or mundane – has intrinsic worth.
• Any legitimate job is a means of worshiping God (Colossians 3:17).
• Any legitimate job is God’s calling (Genesis 2:15).
• Work is empty apart from God (Psalm 127:1).
• We should acknowledge our dependence on God, not in our jobs and the money we make from them (Deuteronomy 8:18-19).

As you celebrate with family and friends, don’t forget to thank God for giving us the gift of work. No matter how menial or mundane our job, we have the potential to glorify God. God calls us to do the job we have been hired to do. If it is a dirty job, we are responsible for doing our best in every area every time. Let’s do our jobs with excellence and with the right attitude. When we do, we glorify God and increases our chances of helping others do the same.

The post A Biblical Way to Think About Labor Day appeared first on Marvin Williams.

When friends share bad news with us, we tend to sympathize and even weep with them. But, what about when friends share their good news with us? It seems like it takes a little more time and maturity to be happy about their happiness. I hate this about myself. How can we be happy about another person’s happiness?

There is a healthy way to respond to someone else’s good news and there is an unhealthy way to respond. Shelly Gable, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, identifies four possible responses to someone else’s good news.

Gable’s Four Responses to Good News

To help highlight and clarify Gable’s responses, I included examples from Scripture.

Active-constructive: The responder is enthusiastic, shows interest and is supportive. After Mary found out she was preggers, she went to Elizabeth’s house to share the good news. Here is Elizabeth’s active-constructive response:

Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. Luke 1:42-44

Passive-constructive: The responder seems positive, but his response is muted and does not ask probing questions. When Zechariah and Elizabeth name their newborn son, their neighbors give a passive-constructive response:

Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what happened spread throughout the Judean hills. Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way. Luke 1:65-66

Active-destructive: The responder energetically belittles or actively attempts to destroy your good news. She focuses on negative implications of the positive news. When Mary gives birth to Jesus – the One born King – Herod gives an active destructive response:

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.” Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. Matthew 2:13-16

Passive-destructive: The responder barely acknowledges your good news and is unhappy about your good news but may never express it. She might also pretend like she is happy or she might change the subject. When the wise men enter Jerusalem, looking for Jesus, the newborn king, Herod exhibits a passive-destructive response:

King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” Matthew 2:2-4, 7-8

Out of the four responses, obviously, the active-constructive response is the healthiest. It has a positive impact on our relationships. Active-constructive responses build trust and values the person who share the good news. The latter two – active and passive destructive – tend to be born out of jealousy, envy, suspicion, and insecurity. These will always lead to unhealthy relationships. How can we get better at active-constructive responses and create healthier relational connections?

How To Get Better at Active-Constructive Responses

• Feel/know your own heart.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9

• Love the giver of good news.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15

• Demonstrate your interests in the person giving good news.

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4

• Celebrate others rather than destroy others.

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:11-12

Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us weep with those who weep, but more importantly to rejoice with those who rejoice. When we respond positively to other people’s good news, we show our maturity. The same God that blessed our friends with good news, is the same God who can bless us with good news. Active constructive responses, ultimately, create healthier relationships. In the end, everyone wins.

How do you tend to respond to other people’s good news? 

When is it difficult for you to be happy about someone’s happiness? 

The post 4 Ways to Respond to Other People’s Good News appeared first on Marvin Williams.

God gives us all assignments in life, and he wants to empower us to accomplish those tasks. I believe we truly desire to achieve the tasks that God gives us. But, though we have a desire to achieve that purpose, there are four letters that can keep us from accomplishing his purpose in our lives.

The people of Israel remained in slavery in Egypt for over 400 years. God saw their oppression and heard their cries of distress. So, he came down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and to lead them to a vast land. God planned to save them through Moses. But, Moses almost allowed four letters to prevent him from his purpose.

Then Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The LORD never appeared to you’?” 

The LORD gave Moses an assignment, but Moses doubted his purpose because of the power of THEY. THEY were the people who attempted to stop him from fulfilling God’s purpose for his life. THEY were the people to whom God had called him to rescue.  Moses believed THEY would challenge his credibility as a spokesman for the LORD. Like Moses, sometimes, the power of THEY paralyzes, stifles, immobilizes and weakens me. 

What will THEY say?

How will THEY respond?

Will THEY like and love me?

Will THEY believe me?

What if THEY question me?

What if THEY bring up my past?

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